A Denver sheriff’s deputy was fired after permitting two inmates — together with one suspected of homicide — to order burritos and Chinese language meals into the jail from outdoors eating places, which the inmates then used to smuggle medicine into the ability.
Derrek Peterson was fired Friday following an eight-month investigation that discovered he didn’t know that the inmates had been utilizing the meals supply to usher in medicine, however that he violated a number of insurance policies by permitting them to order the meals, in line with a disciplinary letter obtained by Avisionews by a public data request.
The meals was purportedly ordered and delivered by Uber Eats or Grubhub, in line with the letter. One of many inmates stated he had a relative that labored for one of many meals supply providers.
The 2 inmates, recognized within the letter solely by their initials TL and DW, distributed the smuggled medicine to others within the Denver Downtown Detention Facility in July. Investigators consider the medicine contributed to a different inmate’s tried suicide, which he survived.
“Though fortunately, (the suicidal inmate) survived, the chances of what may have been smuggled in, and the potential risks that would have been prompted, are countless,” wrote Carl McEncroe, civilian evaluation administrator on the Denver Division of Public Security. “Deputy Peterson’s lack of objectivity in trusting TL and DW to the purpose the place he would have allowed them to personally order ‘meals’ from outdoors the jail is an act so critical that it demonstrates Deputy Peterson’s lack of health to proceed holding the place of Denver deputy sheriff.”
Peterson additionally spoke with one in all TL’s family members about doubtlessly working for TL’s father’s enterprise, even if TL was a suspect in a homicide case.
Peterson stated he allowed the 2 inmates to order meals through the inmate’s phone as a result of he wished to reward them for serving to clear the housing pod. One of many inmates, TL, instructed Peterson {that a} relative labored for a meals supply service and will prepare the supply of the meals. The 2 inmates twice ordered meals to the jail below Peterson’s watch. Peterson picked up the ordered meals from the entrance desk and introduced it as much as the pod for the 2 males. He stated he searched the meals every time and located nothing.
Peterson instructed investigators in an interview that he was making an attempt to indicate humanity to the 2 males, one in all whom he bonded with as a fellow fight veteran. He stated he was drained and “not in the appropriate frame of mind” when he allowed it the primary time, regardless of feeling hesitant.
“When the inmates requested jokingly if we may order some meals I sought this as a possibility to do with my humanity as law enforcement officials do on the road sometimes shopping for individuals espresso or meals,” Peterson instructed investigators, in line with the letter. “For that, I’m sorry, and my mistake price me loads, greater than I may ever think about. I let lots of people down, and I misplaced lots of respect. This error is and can solely be a one-time mistake, and for that, I’ve completely realized my lesson.”
The investigation started Aug. 6 after an inmate reported {that a} deputy was serving to different inmates smuggle medicine into the ability. Textual content messages between Peterson and one in all TL’s family members present him speaking along with her on July 20 about meals deliveries. She instructed him that she despatched meals to the jail through the Uber Eats supply service.
“Though it isn’t believed that Deputy Peterson was in any method conscious that DW and TL sought to smuggle in medicine, he, sadly, grew to become an unwary instrument of their scheme,” McEncroe wrote. “Regrettably, Deputy Peterson has faithfully served the division, however his good service doesn’t negate the fact of what transpired below his watch.”
Peterson joined the division in 2016. His prior disciplinary historical past included 4 reprimands for misuse of depart time and one 10-day suspension for inappropriate use of drive.
